Equinties - Cromwell considered

Gm Equinauts

Horses with notable characteristics are fun to see and often what get racing fans to build emotional connections with the sport. Whether it’s their habitual traits (think GOSHEN and his madness or BLACKBEARD with his naughty pre-race antics) or simply their look (think SECRET SQUIRREL and his bright blonde mane or any grey - every one loves a grey), they all create brilliant memories and thereby warming emotional attachments which bring smiles to fans faces.

One horse was on display over Christmas who definitely will have his followers moving forward

Let’s dive in.

HEADINE ROUND UP

NOT WHAT WE WERE THINKIN’, ACTUALLY

Twitter horses. They are fun, aren’t they? Plenty of characters on Racing X with moderate social influence often cotton-on to a certain horse for a certain race way down the line, so when that doesn’t work out, which is (shock) often the case, it usually makes it as news in racing’s little bubble.

In our December 18th edition of the Newsletter, cleverly titled “Thinkin’ of Aintree”, we spoke about INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN for the Grand National because there had been murmurs on Racing X and, to be honest, it made sense. He was a horse Gavin Cromwell plotted towards the Kim Muir last season, and having finished out the back of the TV in the John Durkan, we thought he could be doing something similar this year.

We said: “He’s a Grade 1 horse who could well get down to a mark of 155 from his current rating of 158, and two poor runs could well see him drop down a few pounds. If that’s the case, you’d have to think he could be a National runner, and a potential National winner as well.”

Well, that ‘thinkin’ is over as Cromwell went on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast yesterday and said: “He’s just not ready for the Gold Cup this year, I think, and if we give him a chance, he could be a Gold Cup horse next year, hopefully.

“He’s going to have an entry for the Irish Gold Cup, and all being well, he’ll go there…I’d say he’s unlikely to go to a National. His jumping has been good this season, and I certainly don’t want to go to the National and give him a fright to spoil all of that.”

He’s demonstrated strict sensibility and a considered approach to training his horse which, perhaps might be in contrast to other trainers for whom the idea of having a contender in the worlds biggest race might have proved too much of short-term temptation to be able to play the long game.

Cromwell also displayed an evident sense of both humility and awareness of the toughness of the game. When other trainers might use hyperbole to ‘big up’ theirs, Cromwell is “hopeful” and “not confident” that he’ll turn into an elite horse in time.

That doesn’t mean he can’t dream though and certainly has one eye already on the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Time is a gift and with some patience, that extra experience will only help INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN when it counts in 15 months’ time.

THE GIANT

Meet JEANNOT LAPIN, the 18-hands beast trained by Gearoid O’Loughlin:

Just look at the end of that race as the camera pans out - he’s twice the size of the others!

So where has he come from!?

Well, having finished third in two point-to-points and pulled up in his final start at the grassroots level, he was sent off 150/1 for his rules at Leopardstown on December 27th and he won very convincingly.

WHAT’S UP DARLING, the second, was sixth in the Martin Pipe, NO FLIES ON HIM, the third, beat JANGO BAIE in his PtP, WESTERN DIEGO, the fourth, finished third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle last year, and BIRDIE OR BUST, the fifth, was third to GOLDEN ACE and BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.

As form goes, that’s not too shabby, it’s just a tad weird seeing a 150/1-shot in the first-place spot!

Anyhow, he is a very big boy, yet his DOCTOR DINO side does shine through as he’s a speedy six-year-old, allowing him to win over 2m1f.

Why do we bring this up? Well, much like GERRI COLOMBE’s potential involvement, he could next be seen at Windsor. O'Loughlin said: "The plan was to go to Windsor for the Grade 2 [Lightning Novices’ Chase], which I thought might come a little bit soon, but he's been in real good order since Leopardstown. There are not many races for a horse like him.

"Windsor is a tight track, but he's quite nimble and his jumping is very good. He's 50-50 to go to Windsor as he has the option of the Irish Arkle or the Flyingbolt too. There's no rush with him and we'll mind him."

So, whilst they ‘mind him’, their minds are clearly building a pipe dream of Graded success, on his second start under rules no less… They’d do well to go speak to Gavin Cromwell!

RESCHEDULING

Well, after the little joke from the Wetherby clerk of the course earlier this week, their meeting on Saturday has officially been called off. With the fiasco of ITV Racing not having any action on Saturday last week, the BHA have put measures in place to make sure we have something to watch on terrestrial TV.

Firstly, to make up for the Wetherby cancellation, Ffos Las will host a card that includes the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase. Before people start piling in and asking “Why is Ffos Las hosting?”, the BHA asked for tracks who were able to host and Ffos Las responded. Easy.

They’ve also moved Newcastle forward to 14:02 rather than 15:50 and an extra all-weather card will be held at Chelmsford. So, that’s Saturday sorted, but will Warwick be on?

An inspection is scheduled for 8:00 this morning and as of 11.14am on Wednesday morning, the track was frozen in areas. Overnight, the temperature dropped below freezing and the same is set to occur on Thursday night. Temperatures might just stay above freezing on Friday night, but they aren’t going to get too high throughout the day.

If we were to bet on racing being on or off at Warwick on Saturday, we’ll bet ‘off’ and slap our money down shouting “PAY ME NOW… AND PUT SOME JUMPERS BUMPERS ON FOR F…”

RISK ON

We’re going to play an extremely speccy bet today:

13.28 LEFT OVER LOVE

Balding’s non-runner has meant this girl is now 6/1 on. Hannon holds her in high regard and this really should be an on the bridle procession job. In the trust Levey let’s her do her thing, we’re going to hit the distance markets. Paddy Power looks best, they’re offering 5/4 for 3 lengths and a massive 15/8 for 4 lengths. We’ll play two bets here and a smaller one for 5 lengths at 3/1. It’s only a 6 furlong race, meaning Levey chooses to mess around by trying to do a show-boating Jamie Spencer type ride, the bets are cooked - but in the brilliant words of George Michael - you gotta have faith!

We might have one more bet and yep, you guessed it, if we decide to play, we’ll post it on X. We don’t always have bets and we’re reluctant to post anything such as ‘today’s thoughts’ , like we so much of on X, as we know readers will be inclined to bet - and then over bet. Less is more.